Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Spicy Grapefruit Margarita

 

Over here at The Oaks bed and breakfast, we love a good margarita, and often the spicier the better.  This month we are bringing to your bar, a Spicy Grapefruit Margarita that is paired with a jalapeno and lemon basil. 

 

               We kicked up the spice a bit by zesting the jalapeno to create more kick with this summer special, and the garnish with the lemon basil just adds a little kick of citrus to an already delicious drink.  Another key component to this drink is to use only fresh squeezed juice.  Juice that grapefruit and lime directly into your shaker cup, when mixing this delightful drink. 

 

               Of course, you can dial up your sweetness and spice by adding more honey or jalapeno or less.  Make this drink your own and enjoy it with friends.  You can even make it a mocktail by removing the tequila and orange liquor.  I would splash in some nonalcoholic  orange bitters to grab that flavor and an additional amount of grapefruit juice to help fill the glass. 

 

Spicey Grapefruit Margarita

Serving size 2 drinks 

½ cup fresh squeezed grapefruit juice

3 TBLS fresh squeezed lime juice

2 TBLS agave or honey

3 oz white tequila

2 oz orange liquor

Salt to rim the glass

Lemon basil for garnish

 

Before you mix your drink prepare your glass.  Rub a lime wedge or grapefruit wedge around the glass and then salt with your favorite option.  Take all your liquid ingredients and pour into a shaker cup that has been filled with ice.  Vigorously shake your drink to mix together.  Then pour it over your salted, ice filled glass.  Garnish with grapefruit, lemon basil, lime or jalapeno slices.

 

               Make this drink your own and mix it up with different bases to find the one you like the best.  Increase the sweetness as you desire or decrease to make your drink more tart.  Mix in additional jalapeno for extra spice or remove it to eliminate all spice.  Either way, this drink will be a summer favorite for sure.

 

               As always please drink responsibly by having a designated driver.  We hope you will let us know if you make this cocktail and tell us which you like it the best.  Cheers!

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Raspberry Peach Lemonade

 

    August is right around the corner, and for the month of August we will be featuring a Raspberry Peach Lemonade at the Tipsy Oak Lounge as our cocktail of the month.  We wanted to harness  more summer flavors to help everyone get ready for the start of the school year and ready themselves for the fall.  Being able to pull out all the joy and fun from summer is what life is all about.  We want to help you make that happen by creating a simple and delicious drink to enjoy on those summer evenings.  

    A great part of this drink, is that if you have leftover Mint Simple syrup from last months cocktail, you can use it again here in this drink to add a little sweetness to the tart of the lemons.  Since mint is our herb once again, that just makes it even sweeter. 

    We did utilize frozen fruit for this drink since, ironically we did not see any peaches at the store, during the time and location in which we went.  Raspberries last a little longer in frozen form than fresh.  I would recommend using fresh when you can to really pull the flavor and natural sweetness from the fruit.  

Raspberry Peach Lemonade

1 full peach, cut into chunks

1/4 cup Raspberries

1 cup water

2 lemons, cut and squeezed

1 ounce Mint Simple syrup

1 1/2 ounces Rum

Blend up the fruit and water into a puree.  Muddle mint at the bottom of shaker cup.  Squeeze two lemons into the shaker cup.  Add simple syrup, fruit puree, and rum.  Shake until mixed well.  Pour into an ice filled glass and garnish.  You can go all out with peach slices, raspberry and mint, or keep it simple with just mint. 

    This makes for a refreshing summer drink for the whole family.  Make a big batch and leave out the rum to let the kids and those not drinking liquor to enjoy as well.  The perfect summer mocktail for all.  As always please drink responsibly and have a designated driver.  Until next month, Cheers from the Oaks bed and breakfast.  

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Rosemary Paloma

 

    As we enter into the summer months a cold and refreshing drink on the patio or deck hits the spot after working in the garden, watching sport games or just because.  This months herb infused cocktail is a Rosemary Paloma.

  

    Grapefruit is a winter fruit but can be made into a refreshing drink at any time of the year.  Since our rosemary grows well all year round, why not take advantage of the delicious flavor it provides walking into the summer months.  

    This drink can also be made for a crowd ahead of time for those patio parties or summer bar-b-ques.  We chose to use a darker tequila for this drink to really enhance the rosemary flavor.  The more oaky flavor of the Anejo tequila pulls the rosemary notes from the homemade syrup.  For a lighter version you can use a Silver or reposado tequila.  

    Rosemary Paloma

1 - 1.5 ounces of Tequila

3 ounces of grapefruit juice

1 ounce of rosemary syrup

dash of lime juice

Ice

    Fill a shaker cup with ice.  Top with all the ingredients for the drink and give it a good shake.  Pour into an ice filled glass.  Garnish with a wedge of lime and rosemary sprig.

    This drink is easy to make for a crowd or just a few people.  Of course if you choose to make it a mocktail just eliminate the tequila.  You might even consider adding a splash of grapefruit soda, to add a few bubbles.  

    The rosemary syrup is the standard simple syrup of sugar and water, with rosemary added in from the start.  Let it cool and infuse the flavor longer into the syrup, for a stronger rosemary finish.  The simple syrup will keep in your fridge for up to two weeks. 

    As always please drink responsibly and have a designated driver.  We hope you will enjoy this drink and let us know how you liked it.  Cheers, from the Oaks bed and Breakfast. 

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Guava Ginger Screwdriver

 

    This month's cocktail was a little unexpected for me.  I figured that it would have a more fruity flavor and be too sweet but it turns out the spice of the ginger beer mellows the sweetness quite well and brings about a satisfyingly, refreshing drink.  The Guava Ginger Screwdriver might have a few layers to it but is very easy to make. The tropical flavor of the guava melds well with the fruit flavor of the Hpnotiq.  Not being a big fan of fruity or tropical drinks, I know I'm probably one of very few people who do not like pina coladas.  I purchased the smallest bottle of Hpnotiq I could find since I was not sure about the flavor or the likelihood I would use it in the future.  

    While not a romantic drink,  it still fits well with the holiday season, as what I would refer to as a girly drink.  Fruity notes, and flavors, with a splash of pink family color.  This drink will satisfy all your flavor needs, from first taste to last taste.  As with all the cocktails we make, use your favorite liquors to create a drink that you will enjoy the most.  

Guava Ginger Screwdriver

1.5 ounces Vodka

1 ounces Hpnotiq

4 ounces Ginger beer

2 ounces Guava Nectar

Spring of fresh Thyme

Pour all your ingredients into a shaker cup that is filled with ice.  Cap it off and give it a vigorous shake.  Once the cup is extra cold to the touch, pour into a Martini glass, or glass of your choice and garnish with a fresh sprig of thyme.  

    It's that simple to be transported away from your everyday life to some place tropical.  You will not be disappointed with this cocktail.  Be sure to not over fill your shaker, otherwise it might get a little leaky when shaken.  Personal experience here, I think I was a little heavy on the ginger beer.  But that might have helped me to enjoy it more. You can enjoy our short video of how to make this cocktail on our YouTube Channel. 

 

    As always please drink responsibly and always use a designated driver when drinking.  Until next month please enjoy and let us know if you try this cocktail out. Cheers from the Oaks Bed and Breakfast. 

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Honey Rosemary Bourbon

 

    Welcome to this months addition of our herb infused cocktail series.  I'm so excited about this drink, because one of our previous guests are partners in the distillery, Still Austin, that makes the Bourbon we are featuring.  I have been waiting for the weather to cool down, which it has but not nearly enough for true fall feelings, to share this drink.  Needless to say I could not wait any longer.  

    The honey rosemary syrup is so simple and delicious to make for this drink, I want to find other ways to use it in the kitchen.  I think we might be baking up something special using this syrup.  The rosemary really pops in the honey, while the honey ads just the right amount of sweetness to this drink.  

    Of course if you like your drinks a little sweeter just add a little bit more of the honey syrup.  Not to much, otherwise the sweetness will become over powering.  Our goal is to meld all the flavors into one.

    Rosemary is such a strong flavor on its own, that the honey and the bourbon help to mellow it to just the right amount.  The garnish of a rosemary spring and an orange peel bring out the look of this simple cocktail, just in time for fall weather and sipping around the camp fire.

Honey Rosemary Syrup

1/2 cup Honey

1/2 cup Water

2-3 springs rosemary

All all the ingredients into a small pot and cook until boiling.  Let set for about 10 minutes to cool.  Then add to your drink.

Honey Rosemary Bourbon

2 1/4 ounces of Bourbon 

4 tsp. of honey rosemary syrup

2-3 shakes of bitters

Pour everything into a shaker filled with ice.  Shake until the outside of the shaker is very cold.  Add to your tumbler that is filled with ice.  Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and orange peel.

    Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for an easy to follow and quick video on how we made this drink.  As always please enjoy your drink responsibly and use a designated driver.  Until next time, Cheers from the Oaks Bed and Breakfast. 

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Rosemary Orange Cooller

     

    This month our herb infused cocktail features rum and rosemary for a light refreshing summer drink.  The process to make this drink takes a little more time, but is worth the wait in the end.  Rosemary is such a versatile herb that can be used in cooking, mixing drinks and aromatherapy.  

    As an herb rosemary retains is fragrance even when dried.  Which makes it the perfect complement to any grilled or cooked meat, or for a relaxing scent in the bath.  In many Mediterranean cultures, rosemary is thought to bring luck to newlyweds, and baskets of the herb are offered to couples at their weddings.  Rosemary is a fairly hearty herb and can usually withstand most cold weather.  

    We use it as a visual addition at the Bed and Breakfast along our guest parking, leading up to the garden area.  When it blooms rosemary has a beautiful light purple flower.  It's a beautiful compliment to any garden space.

    This cocktail, has a tasty and simple flavor but is a little complex in its creation.  Caramelizing the orange slices, with the rosemary will make your home smell amazing for days after your party.  Plus it has the added benefit of bringing a different flavor to your drink from simply using fresh slices of citrus.  The added sweetness of caramelizing the oranges makes this drink perfect for summer.  

Rosemary Orange Cooler

2 oz White Rum

6 sprigs of Rosemary

4 slices of orange or other citrus

1 tsp. Sugar

Slice your oranges into disks or quarters, depends on the look you are going for in a garnish.  Dip your slices into the sugar, and add to a heated pan to caramelize for about two minutes.  Add rosemary to the pan as well.  Once done, add the orange slices to a shaker cup and muddle with a fresh sprig of rosemary.  Add in the white rum, sugar and ice.  Shake until the drink is cold.  Pour the cup over a glass of fresh ice, and garnish with a orange slice and a fresh rosemary sprig. 

    We hope you like this drink and are able to make it at your next party.  The above recipe is a single serving but you can make it in a larger batch for a bigger event.  As always please drink responsibly and have a designated driver. Cheers!

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Citrus Basil Margarita

 

    This month for our herb infused cocktail series we are featuring basil.  We currently have four kinds of basil in our garden and each one produces a different flavor to this wonderful herb.  We love to use it is summer dishes, that are cooked as well as those that use the herb raw.  For this this drink we chose two of the varieties to muddle in our mix.

    Basil has been used in the past to help ease stomach issues but the most common use of basil is to make pesto.  Pesto is such a delicious condiment for food use, that while in season you could hardly make enough.  Although it can be time consuming to make pesto, the end result is worth the wait.

    Today we are not making pesto but rather a citrus basil margarita.  Who does not like to make a Margarita to help cool down on those warm summer nights? 

Citrus Basil Margarita

8-10 Basil leaves, muddled

1 medium Lemon

1/2 Lime

1 oz. Tequila

1 oz. Simple Syrup

    Place your basil leaves in the bottom of your shaker cup.  Muddled them quite a bit to release the oils and flavors from the basil.  Squeeze in your lemon and lime.  Add in the Tequila and simple syrup.  Top it off with ice.  Shake until the container is frosted.  Strain  your liquid into a salt rimmed glass.  Garnish with basil and lime.  Enjoy!

    

    As usual if you want to make your own simple syrup, we recommend making it was some basil as well to really bring out the flavor of the basil in the drink.  We love basil so that is what we did when we made this drink.

    We hope that you enjoy this version of a margarita, so simple and refreshing.  If you want to make it a mocktail, just add more lemon and lime, and withhold the tequila.  Enjoy responsibly and always select a designated driver.  Cheers from the Oaks bed and breakfast!

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Mint Julep

     

    May has just started and with the beginning of May comes three amazing sporting events the combined, entitled the Triple Crown.  In recognition of one, the Kentucky Derby, our herb infused cocktail this month is a mint julep. 

    The mint julep is now know as the staple drink for the Kentucky Derby but truly had it's start in the south as a morning drink.  The light and refreshing flavor of the mint combined with the bourbon helped to carry people through the day right from the start.

    This drink is truly simple to make.  With just three ingredients you can make this drink more about presentation, and let the taste speak for it's self.  The use of a copper or silver cup, helps to keep the drink cold long after the ice has melted. 

Mint Julep

8-10 Mint leaves, muddled

1/4 ounce simple syrup

2 ounces Bourbon

crushed ice

    Muddle your mint leaves in the bottom of a silver or copper cup.  Add in your crushed ice to the top of the container.  Pour over your simple syrup and bourbon.  Add in additional crushed ice, then garnish with mint leaves.  Enjoy!

    The simplicity of this drinks makes it even more enjoyable with a crowd while watching the fastest two minutes in sports go by, while cheering for your favorite horse.  We used Evan Williams for our drink, but you can use your favorite bourbon to mix this cold and refreshing beverage for your next event.  

    We hope to hear about how you mixed your drink.  Drop us a comment on here or social media and tell us your mixing journey.  As always please drink responsibly and have a designated driver.

Cheers!